At today's "Camaro Homecoming event" in Oshawa, Canada, Al Oppenheiser from the Chevy Camaro team told folks that the Chevy Camaro ZL1 will come with an automatic transmission as an option. No word yet from Chevy's communications team.

The 2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, debuting today at the Chicago Auto Show, is the most powerful and…
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This slushbox will supposedly be in addition to the high-performance Tremec TR-6060 six-speed manual - the "MG9" version of the transmission. I guess it's possible — considering the General's able to mate an auto tranny to the Cadillac CTS-V — and that uses the same burnout-inducing 550 HP, 550 lb-ft of torque 6.2-liter LSA V8 engine.

But just because they can — do they have to?

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Here's our first-hand report from Jalopnik reader Andrew:

Just wanted to let you know that at the Camaro Homecoming event in Oshawa today Al Oppenheiser from GM announced that they will offer an automatic transmission for the upcoming Camaro ZL1. Additionally the ZL1 will also have the Performance Traction Management system from the Corvette ZR1. No details on the transmission were given. This is probably a pretty important development because it may cause Ford to follow suit and offer an automatic GT500 for the first time.